Join us this weekend for a complimentary wine tasting, hosted by Jason Bise of Winebow! Four wines this week have garnered national praise, including a 2015 Cotes du Rhone and a 2016 single-vineyard Tempranillo. We are also sampling two Virginia wines this weekend from Rappahannock Cellars in Huntly, Virginia.
Tastings begin at 11:30am on Saturday and Sunday, and all wines are available for purchase at 10% off retail price.
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Find a printable PDF of this week’s tasting notes here.
Huber Grüner Veltliner 2018
Origin: Austria
Retail: $17.95 | Sale: $16.15
The Huber family has wine growing roots dating back more than 220 years. They are located in the Trasiental valley, where numerous small-scale agricultural farms have vineyards that are not much bigger than the average family garden.The age of vines and the uniqueness of the soil is an incredible treasure here. This Grüner Veltliner has notes of pear and citrus pith on the nose.The palate does not disappoint, and comes in with beautiful fruit and slight herbal texture. A light, juicy body surrounds a savory core and finishes with dry freshness.
Grüner Veltliner
91 Points Wine Enthusiast
Anima Negra Quibia 2018
Origin: Spain
Retail: $20.95 | Sale: $18.85
Situated in the southeast of Mallorca, Ànima Negra winery produces its wines on the old country estate of Son Burguera and focuses on natural farming. Chemical insecticides and herbicides are avoided in favor of biodynamic practices, and indigenous yeasts are used for almost all fermentation. This wine in particular celebrates the versatility of the indigenous grape, Callet. Aromas of peach, quince, jasmine and mineral notes mingle on the nose with fresh tangerine acidity. The color is an enticing straw-lemon with greenish highlights. On the palate the wine is fruity, yet creamy in texture, with a hint of pineapple. Fresh, delicate and well balanced.
60 Callet | 30 Premsal | 10 Other Local Grapes
91 Points Wine Spectator
Sustainable (Practicing Biodynamic)
Rappahannock Cellars Chardonnay/Viognier 2017
Origin: Virginia
Retail: $25.95 | Sale: $23.35
Rappahannock Cellars is a family-owned estate vineyard opened in 2000 by the Delmare family. This delicately balanced blend of the fruit-forward Viognier grape is anchored with the subtle and firm structure of Chardonnay. This is an extremely versatile wine that will pair well with many foods.
75 Chardonnay | 25 Viognier
G.D. Vajra "Claré JC" Langhe Nebbiolo 2018
Origin: Italy
Retail: $23.95 | Sale: $21.55
This is technically billed as a Langhe Nebbiolo but is actually a historic experiment to recreate the style of wine written about by Thomas Jefferson: fairly light, silky and sweet like Madeira, tannic like Bordeaux, and slightly effervescent. This wine shows the most beautiful ruby color when poured in the glass. Slightly off-dry with vibrant minerality, the palate is fresh and lively with a slight hint of tannins from the Nebbiolo grape.Enjoy this red slightly chilled.
100 Nebbiolo
Sustainable
Domaine les Hautes Cances Cotes du Rhone 2015
Origin: France
Retail: $19.95 | Sale $17.95
Domaine les Hautes Cances is a small family estate, with 16 hectares of vineyards situated on the slopes overlooking the village of Cairanne. This wine is uniquely perfumed and floral, with hints of violets, spice and even citrus zest. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, silky and fresh, supported by velvety tannins.
47 Grenache | 28 Syrah | 10 Mourvèdre | 10 Carignan | 5 Cinsault
90 Points Wine Advocate
Volver Single Vineyard Tempranillo 2016
Origin: Spain
Retail: $18.95 | Sale: $17.05
From a site planted in 1957 and made from 100% Tempranillo, this wine is an exceptional value. A strikingly aromatic nose offers an array of fruit, floral and herbal scents. Sweet cherry-vanilla and cola flavors coat the palate and are enlivened by juicy acidity. Supple tannins gain strength on the finish, which strongly repeats the cola and floral qualities.
100% Tempranillo
92 Points James Suckling | 91 Points Jeb Dunnuck
Rappahannock Cellars Meritage 2017
Origin: Virginia
Retail: $29.95 | Sale: $26.95
This flagship Meritage is a lovely blend of 5 different Bordeaux varietals. It features well-integrated aromas and flavors of brioche, raspberry, dried herbs and a touch of oak. It’s full bodied and complex on the palate with a balanced structure of tannin and acid.
35 Cabernet Sauvignon | 23 Merlot | 23 Cabernet Franc | 10 Merlot | 9 Petit Verdot
Château de Caladroy Muscat de Rivesaltes 2017
Origin: France
Retail: $12.95 | Sale: $11.65
Château de Caladroy makes this tradition sweet wine high in Pyrean foothills near Spain. The name comes from the nearby Mediterranean town of Rivesaltes. Where fortified wine has been made since the 13th century using distilled spirits to arrest fermentation and preserve sugar and grape flavors – the same technique that created Port 400 years later. This wine’s striking aromatics and deliciously fruity flavors superbly complement fruit and cream desserts.
70 Muscat Petit Grain | 30 Muscat Alexandria